Judicial Practices and Procedures
Last updated 05/05/2026
Sarah Willis, Judge
Bridget Schloss, Judicial Assistant
205 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 6.2204
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
E-mail: CAD-DivisionZ@pbcgov.org
Table of Contents
A. Communications with the Judicial Office
Method of Communication:
Primary communications to the judicial office should be submitted by e-mail to CAD-DivisionZ@pbcgov.org. The subject line of any e-mail to the judicial office must contain the case number, case name, and relevant matter (e.g., 2024 CF 001234 AMB State v. Defendant – 2-Hour Hearing Requested).
Ex parte Communications:
All communications with the judicial office must comply with Canon 3 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which prohibits a judge from initiating, permitting, or considering ex parte communications and from considering other communications outside the presence of the parties concerning a pending or impending proceeding, unless authorized by law. All parties must be copied on any e-mail directed to the judicial office, unless an ex parte communication is authorized by law.
Unsolicited Communications:
Parties may only contact the judicial office in accordance with these practices and procedures. Unsolicited communications from non-parties will not be considered by the court.
E-Filing Portal Contact Information:
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must make and receive service by e-mail, which is generally through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal, unless excused. Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516.
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must provide an e-mail address to receive signed orders electronically, unless excused. Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.516. It is the responsibility of attorneys and self-represented litigants to update their contact information using Form 2.603 any time there is a change in the e-mail account registered for electronic service.
Response to Inquiries:
The judicial assistant strives to substantively respond to all inquiries within one business day. When the judicial assistant is out of the office, your message will be acknowledged as received with an indication of when to expect a substantive response and an alternate contact for immediate assistance.
Neither the Judge nor the Judicial Assistant can provide legal advice. For assistance, you can contact the Self-Help Center at 561-355-7048 located on the first floor of the Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley Courthouse. Additionally, the Palm Beach County Bar Association has a lawyer referral and information service at 561-687-3266.
Other Communication Procedures:
Any e-mail sent to or from the judicial office may be a public record subject to disclosure.
B. Scheduling Procedures
Court Schedule:
Judge Willis is assigned to Felony Division Z. Dockets for Arraignment, Case dispositions, Status Hearings, Plea Conferences, and Motions (at the discretion of the Judge) will be Monday through Thursday mornings at 8:30. Approximately one week a month will be designated for longer motions to be heard. Trials will be scheduled the remaining weeks. Pretrial Stipulations, jury instructions, and verdict forms should be provided to Judge Willis in advance of the jury selection.
Scheduling Hearings:
Hearings must be requested by email to CAD-DivisionZ@pbcgov.org. The request should include the amount of time needed for each party's presentation.
All parties must comply with Local Rule 4 prior to requesting a hearing.
Notice of Hearing:
A notice of hearing must be filed and served immediately after reserving hearing time.
A notice of hearing involving any remote appearance must list the Division Z Zoom link.
All notices of hearing must contain the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) notification required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.540 and the language that counsel has complied with Local Rule 4.
Submission Deadlines:
The court must receive all materials for the hearing, including any responses, case law, memorandum, etc. no later than five (5) business days before the hearing. If any document is more than 10 pages, please provide a hard copy to the Judge by the deadline.
Order of Proceedings:
Matters involving parties represented by counsel will generally be heard before other matters.
Matters involving in-custody defendants will generally be heard before other matters.
Matters involving parties in-person will generally be heard before parties on Zoom.
Continuance Procedure:
Motions for continuance must state with specificity: (1) the basis of the need for the continuance, including when the basis became known to the movant; (2) whether the motion is opposed; (3) the action and specific dates for the action that will enable the movant to be ready, including, but not limited to, confirming the specific date any required participants are available; and (4) the proposed date by which the case will be ready to proceed and whether that date is agreed by all parties. Except for good cause shown, the motion must be signed by the party requesting the continuance, as required by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.545(e). Motions for continuance are disfavored and will be granted only upon good cause shown. Successive continuances are highly disfavored. Lack of due diligence is not grounds for granting a continuance.
Cancelling Hearings:
Hearings in criminal cases may only be cancelled and/or rescheduled with permission of the court.
C. Remote Appearance
The court allows parties to appear either in person or remotely for certain proceedings, as provided by Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.530. Requests to use communication technology for an appearance at any evidentiary hearing, or by any witness, must be made by motion. Plea Conference, Trials, and Evidentiary Hearings must be in person absent prior approval from the court.
Remote Appearance Procedure:
Platform Used:
The court uses Zoom for remote appearances.
Platform Meeting ID#:
Zoom Link: Meeting Link
Meeting ID: 886 6667 2551
Requirements:
Certain hearings are eligible for remote appearance. These include case dispositions and status hearings.
Any person appearing remotely must be in a private location that is quiet and free from distractions. Under no circumstances will a participant be permitted to appear remotely from a moving vehicle.
Any person appearing remotely must label themselves by first and last name. Attorneys should designate themselves as "Attorney first and last name" or "first and last name, Esq."
Any person appearing remotely must dress and behave professionally in the same manner as if physically present in the courtroom.
Any person appearing remotely must enable the person's camera when joining the proceeding and keep the camera turned on until instructed otherwise by the court.
Any person appearing remotely must mute the person's microphone when joining the proceeding and keep the microphone turned off until instructed otherwise by the court.
If a witness appears remotely, the party calling the witness must ensure the witness has a functioning camera and microphone and has tested the internet connection before the hearing. The oath will be administered in accordance with Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.530.
Technology Needs:
All participants in a remote hearing must have a camera, microphone and speaker to allow them to be seen and heard during a remote proceeding. If using a smart phone or tablet, you must download the Zoom app.
D. Submission of Orders and Judgments
Format:
All proposed orders must be submitted in Word format and provided to opposing counsel and any self-represented litigant.
Submission Method:
All proposed orders must be submitted to the court through Online Services.
All proposed orders must be accompanied by a document either (1) confirming the agreement of the parties or (2) containing a statement identifying any disagreement of the parties as to the proposed order.
Self-represented litigants excused from e-mail service may submit proposed orders to the court in Word format by email to CAD-DivisionZ@pbcgov.org or by U.S. mail.
Deadline for Submissions:
Proposed orders must be submitted no later than one week after any hearing unless otherwise stated by the court.
E. Courtesy Copies of Case Law and Other Documents
Courtesy copies of properly filed Motions must be submitted to the Court by email to CAD-DivisionZ@pbcgov.org for any hearing or trial.
F. Emergency and Other Urgent Matters
Requirements:
If a party believes there is a factual basis for setting an emergency hearing, a detailed motion setting forth the following must be filed: (1) the issues to be resolved, (2) reasons why an emergency hearing is necessary, and (3) the amount of time needed for each party's presentation.
Scheduling:
If the court determines that an emergency exists, a hearing will be scheduled unilaterally by the court. All parties shall make themselves available for the emergency hearing, barring exigent circumstances.
G. Exhibits for Evidentiary Proceedings
Original exhibits must be brought to court for any hearing.
Submission Method:
Format:
All attorneys and self-represented litigants must bring sufficient copies of each exhibit for the clerk, the court, and each party to review during the hearing or trial.
H. Pretrial Procedures and Conferences
N/A
I. Setting Case for Trial
Procedure and Notice Period:
The court sets date-certain trials and regularly assigns back-up cases. Attorneys, self-represented litigants, parties, and witnesses are expected to be available during the entire trial period, which is generally a two week docket.
Other Procedures for Setting Case for Trial:
Trial order for Criminal Cases will be determined by evaluating speedy trial, defendant's custody status, case age, retrials, or any other special consideration communicated to the court.
If available, the order of trials will be posted on the Division Z webpage.
J. Forms
N/A
K. Other Division Procedures
ADA Accommodations:
If you need an ADA accommodation, please call 561-355-4380. If you are hearing or voice impaired, call 1-800-955-8771. You can also email ADA@pbcgov.org.
Information on ADA accommodations can also be found on the Circuit's website.
Interpreter Requests:
If an interpreter is needed for a hearing or trial, please contact the Circuit's interpreter's office directly. Information on interpreters' services can be found on the Circuit's website.